EDD benefit amount suddenly reduced after reporting temp work - why am I getting less?

This is actually normal and should sort itself out with your next certification. When you report income, EDD reduces your weekly benefit amount for that specific certification period. Once you stop reporting income (because the temp assignment ended), your benefits should return to your regular amount. The formula EDD uses is that they deduct 75% of your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount. So if you earned close to your benefit amount, you'd see a significant reduction. Don't worry - this isn't permanent. Your claim is still based on your 8-year employment. The reduction only applies to weeks where you report income.

I went through something similar last year. Don't panic - your benefit amount hasn't been permanently changed. EDD just reduces your weekly benefit for the specific weeks you report earnings. It's a partial unemployment calculation. To break it down: 1. You report earnings from temp job 2. EDD applies their earnings deduction formula (they deduct about 75% of what you earn from your weekly benefit) 3. You get a reduced payment for THOSE WEEKS ONLY 4. Once you stop reporting earnings, your payment goes back to normal If you want to verify this is happening correctly, check your UI Online payment history - it should show your regular WBA (weekly benefit amount) hasn't changed, just the payment amount for the weeks you worked.

EXACT same thing happened to me!!! I was getting the full amount then took a 2-day freelance gig and reported it honestly (big mistake lol). My payment got slashed that week and I freaked out thinking they permanently reduced my benefits! But next certification with no income, it went right back to normal. The EDD system is SO confusing and they don't explain this stuff clearly AT ALL. You'd think they would tell us this would happen!!!! But nope, just let us panic. 🙄

am i the only 1 who thinks its stupid that they punish people for working part time?? like if u dont work u get more $ but if u try to work some hours they take away most of ur benefits. makes no sense why even bother working

After dealing with EDD for months, I've found that trying to call them directly is the best way to get clarification on these issues. However, getting through is nearly impossible with their overloaded phone system. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an EDD representative when I had a similar issue with my benefit amount. They have a system that basically places calls for you until they get through, then connects you with an EDD agent. Saved me days of frustration. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that explains how it works. In your case, the others are right - your benefit amount should return to normal after you stop reporting earnings from the temp job. But if it doesn't, speaking directly with an EDD rep is the fastest way to resolve it.

not to be that person but the max benefit is actually $450 not $550 just fyi

my sister works for edd (not saying this to brag lol) and she says this happens all the time where people think their benefits are permanently reduced. its just for the weeks u report income. she says they get SO MANY confused calls about this exact issue but its working as intended. just certify with no income next time and youll get the full amount again. but if ur worried u can always call but good luck getting thru to a real person lmao

One more thing to be aware of - make sure you're answering the certification questions correctly now that your temp assignment has ended. The question about whether you refused any work should be answered "No" (assuming you didn't refuse any work). Also, make sure you're reporting your work search activities correctly now that you're fully unemployed again. Sometimes people make mistakes on their certifications after their circumstances change, which can lead to eligibility interviews and payment delays. Just something to be mindful of!

Just wanted to add my experience - I had the exact same panic when this happened to me! I was getting $480/week and then did some gig work for Uber Eats for like 2 weeks. Reported it honestly and my payment dropped to like $150 that period. I was convinced they'd somehow messed up my entire claim. But everyone here is right - it went right back to normal once I stopped reporting any earnings. The key thing is your base period wages (from your 8-year job) haven't changed at all, so your WBA calculation stays the same. It's just the weekly payment that gets adjusted based on what you earn that specific week. Pro tip: you can actually see this in your UI Online account if you look at your claim details - your weekly benefit amount should still show $550 even during the weeks you got reduced payments. That's how you know it's just a temporary calculation thing, not a permanent change to your claim.

This exact thing happened to me when I did some freelance graphic design work last year! I was getting $475/week and then reported about $200 in freelance income one week. My payment dropped to like $75 and I completely freaked out thinking I had somehow damaged my claim permanently. Like everyone else is saying, it's just the partial unemployment formula - they reduce your benefit for that specific week based on your earnings, but your underlying claim stays the same. Once you certify with zero income again, you'll get your full $550 back. The EDD really needs to do a better job explaining this process because SO many people panic when it happens. Maybe they could add a simple explanation right on the certification page that says "reporting income will only affect THIS week's payment, not your overall benefit amount" or something like that. Would save everyone a lot of stress! Anyway, don't worry - your benefits will definitely return to normal with your next certification.

I'm dealing with something similar right now and this thread is incredibly helpful! I just started a part-time retail job (20 hours/week) while collecting unemployment and I'm dreading my next certification because I know my payment is going to drop significantly. It's reassuring to hear from so many people that this is temporary and my benefits will go back to normal if the part-time work doesn't work out. The anxiety of not knowing how the system works is honestly worse than the actual reduction sometimes. One question though - does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you can work before it affects your benefits? Or does ANY reported income trigger the reduction formula?